jdhmnovel Chapter 616 Inviting colleagues
Chapter 616 Inviting colleagues
Madam Cui and Lin Yueniang chatted for most of the hour before Madam Cui suddenly remembered that Lin Yueniang had traveled a long way and should rest first.
"Oh dear, I've been so happy I've gotten confused. I've been talking to you for ages. Are you tired, little sister?"
"My sister knows I practice martial arts, so I'm not that weak. But I really do miss the hot springs at your house. Haha~"
"Haha, good, good, let's go to your courtyard, the same one as before. After you left, I never let the master entertain friends in that courtyard again."
Madam Cui was truly particular; she left a large courtyard unused, and no matter what Master Cui said, he wouldn't let anyone move in.
"Sister, you're so thoughtful. It's really nothing. This courtyard belongs to you and Master Cui. How can it be left idle for someone like me who doesn't come here even once every few years? Wouldn't that be a waste?"
"Sigh, to be honest, I'm just annoyed by the master's so-called friends. They clearly look down on my family's commoners, but for various reasons they still stick around."
In short, it's annoying and nauseating.
"If I've lived all these years and still can't distinguish between sincerity and falsehood, then I've truly lived in vain!"
Master Cui made friends all over the world, including officials, businessmen, wanderers, and scholars.
When making friends, Cui Yuanyuan doesn't consider social status or background, but only whether they get along well. However, in Madam Cui's opinion, her husband has also made many mistakes in his judgment.
However, this excludes the scholar Ouyang, who is currently staying at his home; he is truly capable.
In just one year, his son had already passed the imperial examination and was even preparing for the provincial examination.
After this provincial examination, won't we produce a successful candidate in the imperial examination?! At that time, the Cui family's reputation will be transformed because of Xi'er!
Then we'll see who doesn't respect their family, and who dares to come to their house to take advantage while looking down on their social status.
The two chatted as they walked, and on their way to the guest quarters, Lin Yueniang inadvertently caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
That's Mr. Ouyang? He's still at the Cui family's house?
After chatting for so long, Sister Cui didn't mention that Mr. Ouyang was still in Chunyi.
However, his son had mentioned in a previous letter that Mr. Ouyang had come from Yunqing Mountain and was staying at a friend's house to recuperate.
So, Mr. Ouyang has been staying in Chunyi for more than a year.
Ouyang Zheng had indeed not left Chunyi for more than a year. One reason was that the hot springs were indeed effective in treating his old ailment, and the other was that he had promised Madam Cui to send Cui Xi to the provincial examination.
Now that his body has been well-maintained, and with the new prescription his apprentice gave him, he feels as if he has returned to twenty years ago.
During that year at the Cui family, he would occasionally teach Cui Xi his studies and martial arts, and he himself unexpectedly made some breakthroughs.
Ouyang Zheng can be considered half a tutor in both literature and martial arts for the Cui family, and the Cui family treats him as an honored guest among honored guests.
After all, such a renowned scholar of our time cannot be invited simply by having money and power.
Madam Cui escorted Lin Yueniang to the guest courtyard, and then instructed all the servants to take care of her, giving detailed instructions before returning to her own courtyard.
"Moon Lady, why don't you soak in the hot spring and rest for a while? We'll have dinner together then."
"Okay, sister, I won't stand on ceremony with you."
Fuling put down their luggage before saying, "Madam, this courtyard is exactly the same as when we left. Nothing has changed, and the placement of everything is the same."
“Sister Cui is very thoughtful. Once we leave the capital, I will definitely keep my promise and take Sister Cui to see the world.”
"Then... Master Cui won't report it to the authorities, will he?"
"Silly girl, of course you can't sneak away. Who knows what will happen then?"
Perhaps then Master Cui will be crying and begging, wishing I could take Sister Cui with me on this trip~
Fuling was deeply skeptical of this, but not wanting to spoil her wife's mood, she nodded in agreement.
"Hmm! Times change, perhaps Master Cui will come to his senses by then~"
Fuling opened the bundle, inside were the bath towel and bathrobe that the young master had given her. She cherished them and kept them, but rarely used them.
"Madam, everything is ready. Shall we go to the hot spring now?"
"Okay, you go first, I have something to do and need to go out for a bit."
"Oh? Will Madam be back before dinner?"
"Don't worry, it won't take that long. Go to the hot spring pool and wait for me. I'll be there in a bit."
Fuling, like a chick pecking at rice, knew that the lady's lightness skill was formidable, and that going back and forth wouldn't take much time at all.
Lin Yueniang had no intention of flying around in the Cui family's courtyard; she walked out of the guest courtyard on two legs.
"Madam, please wait!"
Lin Yueniang found Ouyang Zheng's courtyard with great accuracy, but was stopped by the gatekeeper.
The servant naturally knew that anyone who could move freely in the Cui family must be a distinguished guest of the master and mistress, but this person inside was different; this person was the most distinguished of all.
It's not that we can't let anyone disturb the gentleman's peace and quiet. Although the gentleman is approachable, he certainly doesn't want to see ordinary people from the outside world.
“Young man, Mr. Ouyang inside is my son’s teacher. Please go in and announce that Lin Yueniang, the mother of Jiang Mingfei, requests an audience.”
Huh? They actually knew Mr. Ouyang was inside! Could it be someone they know?
The servant bowed and then went inside to announce the news.
Before long, the servant came out and respectfully invited Lin Yueniang into the courtyard.
The winding path led to a secluded spot, its style distinctly different from my own guesthouse.
The bamboo grove in the courtyard has a similar feel to Yunqing Mountain, but it's a bit stiff and lacks the lively charm of a mountain forest.
Deep in the bamboo forest, inside the pavilion, Ouyang Zheng played a game of Go, black and white pieces.
Lin Yueniang stepped forward, bowed to Ouyang Zheng, and greeted him, "Mr. Ouyang, how have you been?"
Ouyang Zheng put down the black and white chess pieces, stroked his beard, smiled and returned the greeting, saying, "Madam Lin, how have you been?"
"How have you been? I didn't expect you to stay in Chunyi for so long."
"I have been entrusted with this task, and I must fulfill it faithfully. However, it is time for me to leave."
"Oh? So, where does sir plan to go next?"
Lin Yueniang was almost about to ask Ouyang Zheng if he wanted to go to the capital together, but she decided to take a roundabout approach.
"I haven't decided yet. I wonder if Madam Chiang has any suggestions? How was your time in the South?"
The South is certainly wonderful; the mountains are beautiful, the water is clear, the flowers are lovely, and the scenery is breathtaking—there's nothing bad about it, but…
“Mingfei sent a message by carrier pigeon to the south, saying that things might not be peaceful there afterward, and that you should consider going somewhere else.”
"Oh? Mingfei said that?"
Ouyang Zheng was silent for a moment, then said, "Fine, then we won't go to the South."
Seeing that Ouyang Zheng was about to pick up a chess piece again, Lin Yueniang couldn't help but extend an invitation.
“Why don’t you come to the capital with me, sir? Mingfei needs help right now. You are wise and resourceful, and you can definitely give him some pointers. You would be much more useful than a mother like me who only knows how to fight!”
Phew~ You said it~